Motorcycle Glove Sizing Guide: How to Get the Right Fit

Sizing is the most commonly underestimated part of buying motorcycle gloves online. Riders eyeball it based on what they wear in other contexts — work gloves, dress gloves, whatever — and end up with something too big or too small. Neither extreme is acceptable on a bike. Too big and the glove shifts. Too small and it restricts blood flow and movement. Here's how to get it right.

How to Measure Your Hand

You need two measurements: hand circumference and hand length. For circumference: wrap a soft measuring tape around your palm at the widest point, just below the knuckles. Exclude the thumb. Take the measurement in inches — this is your primary sizing number. For length: measure from the base of your palm (at the wrist crease) to the tip of your middle finger. For most American-made motorcycle gloves, hand circumference is the dominant measurement.

Converting Measurements to Glove Size

For Legendary USA gloves and most American motorcycle gloves: 7 inches = Small. 8 inches = Medium. 9 inches = Large. 10 inches = X-Large. 11 inches = XX-Large. These are general guidelines — always check the specific size chart for the glove you're buying, as sizing can vary slightly between styles and manufacturers.

What a Correct Fit Feels Like

A correctly sized motorcycle glove should: fit snugly without squeezing. Fingertips should nearly reach the end of each finger — a quarter inch or less of space is fine, but significant gap means the glove is too large. The thumb should align naturally without stretching. The wrist closure should fasten securely without the glove being too loose or the closure pulled to its extreme. Make a fist inside the glove — the leather should conform without binding.

Adjusting for Glove Type and Lining

Unlined leather gloves (like the Churchill Classic): size to your hand circumference. The leather has some give and will stretch slightly to your exact shape. Lined gloves (fleece-lined, insulated): size up half a size or one full size. The lining reduces interior volume, and you want warmth without constriction. Gauntlets: size the same as unlined — the cuff length is not affected by hand size.

Sizing for Different Hand Shapes

Long narrow hands: if your hand length is long relative to your circumference, prioritize the circumference measurement. Long-fingered riders sometimes find the tips of standard gloves slightly short, but this is uncommon with quality gloves that use properly proportioned patterns. Wide short hands: prioritize circumference. A wide palm needs the right circumference; slightly short fingers are less problematic than a glove that's too tight at the palm.

Breaking In and Stretching

Leather motorcycle gloves stretch slightly with use — deerskin especially. If you're at the edge of two sizes and trying to decide, lean toward the smaller size for unlined gloves. The leather will conform to your hand within the first few rides. For lined gloves, lean toward the larger size to accommodate the lining volume.

Find your size in the Legendary USA lineup at legendaryusa.com/collections/motorcycle-gloves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm between glove sizes?

For unlined leather gloves, go smaller — the leather stretches slightly. For lined or insulated gloves, go larger to accommodate the lining.

My dominant hand is slightly larger. Which hand do I measure?

Measure your dominant hand. If there's a significant size difference between hands, size for the larger hand. A slightly loose glove on the smaller hand is better than a too-tight glove on the larger hand.

Can I try motorcycle gloves on before buying?

If buying from a local dealer, absolutely — always worth it. For online purchases, rely on hand circumference measurements and check the return policy before ordering.

Will deerskin gloves stretch to fit if they're initially tight?

Deerskin does have give and will conform to your hand, but don't buy a glove that's uncomfortable at purchase hoping it will stretch enough. A half size too small typically stays a half size too small.

Do women and men's gloves size differently?

Women's gloves typically use smaller size ranges and different width proportions. Legendary USA's standard sizes work for a wide range of hand sizes — use the circumference measurement to confirm fit.